Fourth Annual Senior Citizen Prom hosted

PHOTO SUBMITTED Seniors and teens enjoy food donated by several local restaurants.

The fourth annual Senior Citizen Prom was held on Friday, May 12, at the First United Methodist Church. The prom, under the auspices of school nurse Heather Watson, was sponsored by the students in the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) from Andrews and Martins Creek schools. The teens hosted this event as part of their service learning project for the program.

The Teen Outreach Program is a nationally recognized program that works to promote progress in school and helps educate students on healthy habits, such as safe dating practices and abstinence education. The program also works to promote self-esteem in those who participate. TOP is currently being offered during eighth and ninth grade health/PE classes.

Approximately 65 people attended the prom including senior citizens from both Andrews and Murphy. There were several staff members from Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, as well as the teens from TOP. The theme for the prom was country/western and was titled "The Sweetheart Rodeo". Everyone danced and enjoyed popular tunes from the 50s. The festive atmosphere even inspired a few to play the harmonica and the banjo. It was a great time of food and fellowship for both the seniors and teens.

Several local businesses donated food for the prom including Pizza Hut, Ingles, The Country Italian Deli, and ShoeBooties. Other businesses which donated door prizes include Chesnuts, The Pizza Place, Elsie's Steak & Seafood, Rib Country, No Name Deli, Downtown Pizza, Downtown Bakery, and McDonald's.